Life In 19th Century America

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1st year

FINAL RESEARCH ESSAY TOPIC NUMBER: 2

In the 19th century America became the biggest target for thousands of European families, who wanted to start new life in the Promised Land. After months spent in underdeck of a ship, the lucky ones, more dead than alive, landed in America. The life was more than hard. They worked from daybreaks to dusks and the daily routine must have been getting them down. But they found many activities and ways of entertainment that helped them to overcome their isolation, loneliness and discomfort. One of the best distractions was reading. More than hundred years ago, in time of no television, books meant more, than we could imagine. People were looking forward to the time, when they…show more content…
According to one of pbs.org essays the settlers overcame various obstacles in order to enjoy the dance; people often had to travel long distances to get to the place, where dances were held. Sometimes this journey was not easy, especially in winter, when all roads were covered with snow. But when they finally got to that place, they had a big fun. People were dancing, chatting and singing. Among the best songs that time were “Skip to my Lou”, “The girl I left behind me” and many others. People danced differently in 19th century. They did not know disco dances or hip-hop, they often danced square dances, for example the quadrille. Following description is a description of quadrille that was danced in 1822. “Two gentlemen opposite, with their ladies, commence with the right foot, make the Temps Levé and Chassé, and at the same time raise the right arm, in the manner directed for the arms, in order to receive the right hand of the opposite person; in making the second Chassé, with the left foot before, they turn a little to the right, quit the right hand of the ladies, and give the left to their partners, turning a little to the left side, making the third Chassé with the right foot before, then the Jeté and Assemblé, placing themselves on the left of their ladies, who at the same time perform the same steps. The two couples will now have exchanged places; this…show more content…
České země 1848 – 1918. Praha: Albatros, 1995. pages 18 – 19. ISBN 80-00-00323-6.
Internet sources
CZAJKA, Christopher. How the West Was Fun: Recreation and Leisure Time on the Frontier [online]. page 1 [quoted: 1. 30. 2008]. accessible from:

CZAJKA, Christopher. How the West Was Fun: Recreation and Leisure Time on the Frontier [online]. page 2 [quoted: 1. 30. 2008]. accessible from:

Mixed Pickles: The 1822 Quadrille [online]. [quoted: 1. 30. 2008]. accessible from:

WEISER, Kathy. Old West Legends: Saloons of the American West: [online]. page 1 [quoted: 1. 30. 2008]. accessible from:

WEISER, Kathy. Old West Legends: Saloons of the American West: [online]. page 3 [quoted: 1. 30. 2008]. accessible